Majrooh Sultanpuri

Biography

Majrooh Sultanpuri was one of the most iconic Urdu poets and film lyricists of the 20th century, a man whose words shaped both literature and cinema. He had the rare gift of writing verses that carried literary depth yet appealed to millions on the big screen.

Born in Sultanpur in 1919, Majrooh came from a traditional Muslim family. He trained as a Unani physician, but his destiny was poetry. He began by reciting ghazals at mushairas, quickly gaining recognition for his fresh style and heartfelt expression. His pen name, “Majrooh,” meaning “wounded,” captured the emotional intensity of his writing.

His life changed when filmmaker A.R. Kardar heard him at a poetry gathering in Bombay and introduced him to music director Naushad. This led to his debut as a film lyricist in the 1940s, and soon Majrooh was writing songs that became instant classics. Over the next five decades, he penned lyrics for hundreds of films, working with legends like R.D. Burman, S.D. Burman, O.P. Nayyar, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Songs from films like Dosti, Aradhana, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Pakeezah are still sung across generations.

But Majrooh was not only about cinema. He was also a progressive poet with strong political leanings. During the 1940s, his revolutionary poetry led to his arrest and imprisonment by the British authorities. This rebellious spirit earned him the title of a fearless voice among Urdu poets.

In his personal life, Majrooh was deeply rooted in family. He was married to Amina, and together they raised five children. His son Tabrez Khan went on to become a musician, continuing the creative legacy. Despite his fame, Majrooh lived simply, often describing himself as a poet first and a film lyricist second.

Recognition came in many forms. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist in 1965 and, in 1993, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor for cinema, becoming the first lyricist ever to achieve this distinction.

Majrooh Sultanpuri passed away in Mumbai in 2000, leaving behind a treasure trove of poetry and film songs. His words still echo in gatherings, on radio stations, and in the voices of singers who continue to breathe life into his lyrics.

Majrooh’s legacy lies in how he bridged art and popular culture. He proved that poetry could be revolutionary, romantic, and timeless—all at once.